Yes Rebel some post pic touching up there.
That field is very productive however, the treeline is west of me, it's evening, sun is setting just above the treeline,
bear is black and we are in the shadow of the trees.
He was a bit above me as well.
Sound like fun?
I thought about the flash, and getting closer, but decided against it.
Taken with a 300mm from about 40-50yds.
Yes he was quite interested and in fact the reason I bought the bear spray.
Last going off in this encounter he had his head down as though he was grazing but I could see he wasn't and he was moving twds me.
I am aware of how fast they are and 40yds was plenty close enough.
A few slaps of the tripod legs and standing tall and talking loud...ended the session...card was FULL anyway Saw that particular one a few more times this spring but didn't approach it that close again.
Unfortunatley he had the nicest coat of about a half dozen regulars.
Next best was this girl...and she seemed to never show her "good" side.

If/when he decides enough is enough, that spray won't do you any good. They have the worst temper of all big guys. In India, bears have been known to attack even maneaters (the biggest one that is). I think I read about one such incident in Jim Corbett's autobiography. The bear did die, but then look who he took head on... These bears you're after are bigger and can kill you in one slap. Spray is OK, but do also keep a .44/45 as well. At least a BIG-sounding one.

Roy!!! A .45??
This is Canada,
I'd be safer with ten bears than carrying a handgun around...lol

I've had a lot of interaction with bears along the way, sat and watched them for hours n hours and them not even have a clue I am there.
Sometimes multiple bears.
Most times they know exactly where I am and never a problem.
I have a pretty good read on their body language but I am VERY aware I would NEVER outrun one.
I ALWAYS leave the bear an escape route which IMO would be it's first move overall.
I never approach a bear that doesn't know I am there, I talk to them the whole approach/session.
I never approach a bear without backup or alone and NEVER moms with cubs.
My girlfriend is always with me close to my Jeep and we always have a "plan", never a spot the Jeep cannot reach.
These are all springtime bears, only thing on their mind is food, they frequent same fields for weeks nightly,
approaches are gradual to allow them to get used to my presence, any that show signs of discomfort or get "hinky" are off the list.
If ever in a slowly approaching bear situation, dropping a jacket or leaving the tripod behind will get their attn for a short period.
That 500mm is pretty hefty and the tripod mount makes a great handle, if I go, it's my fault but, I'll go swinging.
Never panic or show fear....

Heres a couple from trailcams at sites where we have watched bears...
Homebrew cam made with a Sony Cybershot and a Vivitar slave flash placed above bears activated by flash from camera.

We are toying with the idea of getting our Guiding Licenses and taking people on photo shoots
at sites like these this year geared specifically for photography.
Getting bears to come to a spot in the woods with enough good light for pics is gonna be tough but not impossible.

OK. You know the rules. You know Steve Irwin? I believe he had a lot more experience in these matters than most of us. He too had a plan - always. But what we do know for sure today, is that experience can never be a shield. There are things which are beyond anybody's control (I'm not talking about supernatural things). There are poachers who can injure an animal to make it behave unnaturally, for example. It can get injured by accident. It can have a fight with a "competitor". You just wouldn't know. All I'm saying is that do not EVER go within 100 yards. Get more zoom if required. 40 yards within a bear like that is nothing but suicidal. Get a starter pistol at least. It just has to make a big B A N G!

kpr......Reminds me of the days we would drive down to the garbage dump in Havelock Ont. late at night. When we got there we shut the car lights and motor off and just sat quietly and listened.....When we heard noises we would turn the lights on. Nine times out of ten the bears just went about their business looking for some tasty treat in the garbage....They were comfortable with the sight of cars in there.

I do remember a couple of times they would be a little too interested in the car so we just slowly drive away.